Takashi was nervous about today and tried to calm his racing heart. He took a deep breath through his nose and let the calming scents of the dojo relax him. It was familiar, it was home.

He had spoken to Haruhi's Sumeragi-san after she had left the office and offered him a gift and asked permission to date her.

Her father had been surprised at the formality of the situation but was gracious to him. He had told him that if Haruhi wanted to date him, he had his blessing to do so.

Now it was time to speak to Haruhi. She would be leaving at the end of the summer to go to America and he wanted to secure her hand before she left. Dating at a long distance would be difficult, but he was a patient man and she was all he would ever want.

"Takashi," his father greeted coming up next to him. "Did you speak to her father?"

"Yes, I did father, and he is amenable. He said it was up to Haruhi."

Akira chuckled. "We shall see how this turns out. I am concerned about Ootori-san, though. He seemed interested in our Haruhi and I would hate for her to have her spirit crushed."

Takashi frowned. "I haven't noticed Kyoya making any motions towards her. That is why I want to speak to her soon before someone else does. She's leaving for America in a few months."

"A long-distance relationship will be difficult, are you sure you're up for it?"

"You've taught me patience, and she's all I'll ever want. I'd wait for an eternity for her, father."

Akira clapped his son on the back. "Good. You'll treat her with respect, you know our ways."

"Hn," Takashi said. He knew that he wouldn't sleep with Haruhi until he knew he put a ring on her finger and call her his permanently. He never had a serious relationship because of that. It felt as a waste of time to go through the motions of dating when he didn't feel a spark with anyone except Haruhi.

He would respect her mind and body, but also her spirit. He would know that he cared about her, loved her, and wanted to give her the world.

And he would if she'd let him.

"Now, go get ready, classes will start soon."

Takashi bowed to his father and crossed the room to the changing rooms. He needed a moment to prepare himself. He would be teaching class and Yuki would be here. Haruhi asked if she could come, too and Yuki called to make sure that was acceptable.

It was more than acceptable. He wanted her near him always.


Haruhi was pleased that her talk with her father went so well. She was happy he was letting her go to Harvard, and that Yuki would be joining her. At least she wouldn't be completely alone.

The hum of the limo lulled her to a calm state as she rode with Yuki to the Haninozuka/Morinozuka dojo. She rubbed her left wrist sported a cast and frowned. She wanted to go to her class, but she was still healing. She should go and watch the others but wanted to watch Yuki do Kendo with Mori-senpai.

This would also give her time to see the others in their family. She was close with Mori-senpai's parents and brother. Same with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. They had been supportive of her and she couldn't thank Mori-senpai's father enough for arranging her father's cremation for her.

"You ready?" Yuki asked as the limo glided to a stop.

"Yes, I can't wait to see you in action."

Yuki snorted and stepped out of the limo reaching out his hand for her. She accepted his help knowing it was still difficult for her with her walking boot to manoeuvre around.

The gravel crushed under her feet in an uneven rhythm as they made their way to the dojo. She looped her arms with Yuki, his tall body helping her along.

She looked up at him and smiled. He was tall, almost as tall as Mori-senpai. His brown hair fell across his forehead, and his brown eyes were intense as he prepared himself for class. She wanted to snort as she wondered if being built like Mori-senpai was a prerequisite for Kendo.

Yuki helped her to the corner of the room and kissed her cheek as he walked gracefully across the room to go change.

"Haru-chan!" Hunny-senpai cheered when he saw her. He waved at her, his long strides making quick work to where she stood.

He pulled her into his arms and held her close and laughed. "I'm glad you're here today."

He coaxed her to where his father and uncle were standing and he pressed his hand at the small of her back, "Father, uncle," he said in greeting.

Morinozuka-san grinned down at her and placed his hand on the top of her head as she stopped in front of them. "Welcome back," he said with a warm smile.

She bowed and smiled at them. "Thank you, Morinozuka-san, Haninozuka-san. I'm glad to be back."

"Here, Haru-chan, we got you a chair for you to sit in," Hunny-senpai said with a grin. "We know it's hard for you to get up and down still."

She waved her hand in front of her embarrassed. "There's no need for that. I can sit with Chika, and Satoshi today."

He snorted and forced her to sit in the chair, "You'll have a better view of Takashi here."

Haruhi blushed and folded her hands in her lap. She always thought Mori-senpai handsome. All the hosts were, but there was something she felt towards the tall, silent host that she hadn't felt with the others. She shoved those thoughts to the side knowing it would do no good to pine after someone she could never have. He would have to find a bride that brought something to the family, and all she had at the time was her morals, which weren't enough for someone as wealthy as the Morinozuka.

Not that she thought that Mori-senpai was conceded, far from it. She never felt out of place in his world. He and Hunny-senpai had taken her under their wings and helped her flourish. Their whole family did. What they did for her when she was in the hospital, she could never repay them.

As she watched the class, her eyes never left Mori-senpai. The way he moved was fluid and beautiful. She hated to think now that she had merit, she could possibly date one of the hosts, especially Mori-senpai. She knew that Hitachiin-san said they had always seen her merit and had no idea who she really was, and would love to believe that. It was just too painful to contemplate otherwise.

She sighed and Hunny-senpai looked over at her with a huge grin and nudged her arm gently. "You like watching Takashi?"

She rolled her eyes and twisted her lips in a grimace. Yes, she did, not that she would tell him that. She liked watching him, too. She watched Hunny-senpai grow. His small stature seem to disappear overnight as he entered college and he shot up overnight. He now towered over her as the rest did. He still acted childlike when going to the Host Club on those few days he could make it, and the girls still sucked it up.

Outside of the club, she knew better. Yes, he still loved sweet things and didn't have any qualms about letting people know about that. He was safe here surrounded by his family, a family that loved and accepted him for everything he was.

"Well," Hunny-senpai prompted.

She looked at him for a long moment and then back to Mori-senpai who was standing to the side instructing the class. "I suppose," she said with a shrug of indifference. "I could say that same about you, too, though. You both move fluidly. I wish that I could, too."

"But, you do, Haru-chan. You've never seen yourself very clearly."

Her lips turned downward. She thought she saw herself very clearly and didn't take shit from anyone knowing exactly who she was. "That's not true," she said.

Hunny shifted closer to her and leaned down to speak gently in her ear. "You're always thinking you don't have any merit because of your commoner status. Takashi, and I, and of the others, have always known your worth. It didn't matter where you came from. You're the glue that holds our little family together."

Could that be true? She's been told that enough times. It was just damned Kyoya that kept spouting the need for someone to have merit in order to associate with them. The connections he needed to make to please his father. Where did that leave her? Did his father simply tolerate her for now, would his opinion change because of her status?

Probably.

But, not the others. She didn't think Kyoya would view her any differently. They had a strong friendship and he would confide in her and help guide her in the shark-infested waters. If she didn't see any merit in her, he wouldn't have wasted his time, right?

She sighed once again and her shoulders slumped. She was tired of her self-doubt. She was Fi- Sumeragi Haruhi, and she knew her worth. It just happen to expand recently.

"I guess you're right, Hunny-senpai. I'll try to remember that," she said with a warm smile on her lips.

She hadn't noticed that class had ended, and the floor was full of students from the next class that Chika would be teaching.

She searched for her brother and stood waiting for him to come to her so they could leave. Hunny wrapped an arm around her and guided her outside the dojo doors to the back of the building. There was a small garden there separating the homes of the families and the dojo. She had been privileged enough to see this place and had gone to both their homes for movie nights with Mori and Hunny-senpai several times.

To the left were the natural hot springs that she loved. They had brought her there before, especially when Hunny-senpai had been brutal with his training during her private lessons.

She craned her head back to look once again for her brother and Hunny-senpai tightened his grip on her and led her further into the garden. "Don't worry about Yuki-kun, I'll get him in a moment. There's someone who wishes to speak to you alone, first."

Confused, she turned to look forward again and saw Mori-senpai sitting on the low wall next to the koi pond. He looked up when he heard them approach and his cheeks suffused with blush.

"I'll see ya soon, Haru-chan," Hunny-senpai said and kissed the top of her head and bound back to the dojo.

Haruhi shifted from foot to foot and looked at the man in front of her. He seemed deep in thought and didn't want to disrupt his train of thought. Mori-senpai didn't speak much to others and she knew she was privileged that he did speak to her freely. He was one that chose his words carefully and knew he was working up the courage to say something to her.

She worried her bottom lip and folded her hands in front of her as their eyes locked. His eyes, the stormy grey that she loved so much seem to darken as he looked at her from head to toe.

"Haruhi," he breathed and beckoned her closer.

She took the few steps closer and sat next to him when he patted the stone next to him. She shifted her body so she could face him, and peered up at him through her lashes. "Is everything alright, Mori-senpai?"

"Hn," he said and then surprised her by grabbing her hand in his.

His hand engulfed hers. He could've easily crushed her hand with a flick of his wrist

She was quiet, enjoying the feeling of his large, calloused hand in hers. It was dry and warm and she felt a small thrill spike through her. He had, of course, held her hand before, but this felt intimate.

He was one of her best friends and she chastised herself for having such thoughts about him. He was destined for another, not her. Someone more beautiful, less outspoken.

"This is harder than I thought," he said looking out the garden, squeezing her hand lightly.

"Whatever it is, you know you can tell me. I'm one of your best friends, right?"

He looked at her then, his eyes searching her face, "You're more than that to me, Haruhi."

She opened her mouth and snapped it shut. He never said words he didn't mean and she was trying to decipher what he meant by that.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly and then squared his shoulders. "Haruhi," he startedd. "I know that you're going to go to America soon to follow your dream, and we all support that, I support that, but there's something you should know."

She furrowed her brows and blinked up at him.

"I want to be with you, Haruhi, I want you to be mine and have for some time. Would you… would you be my girlfriend?"

Her mouth hung open as she gapped at him. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought he would ask that. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies as he stared at her holding his breath.

"But, I'm leaving… for three years."

"I'm not saying that part will be easy, but we can talk every day on the phone, video each other, and see each other when we can. You're all that I'll ever want, Haruhi. I was trying to tell you before, but the accident happened and there was never the right time."

"You wanted me before?"

His face hardened and he scooted closer, "Yes, I wanted you even when you were a commoner, so stop thinking that right now. I've wanted you for years. That's why when you heard that girl confessing to me I didn't respond. You were there. I didn't mean to be rude to her, but what was I going to say? My heart has already belonged to you since the first time I touched you."

She snapped her mouth shut and searched his face. He wasn't a liar, she had already known that and thought that. He was earnest in his declaration. It would be hard to be away from each other for three years, but if anyone could make it work, it would be the two of them.

"But, what if you meet someone while I'm away?"

He snorted. "My heart and mind are steadfast. You'll be the only one that resides there? Are you concerned you'll meet someone in America?"

She snorted too and shook her head. "You know I'll be studying too much and that's not why I'm there. I'm not looking to meet someone." She paused when she saw the hurt flash across his face before he smoothed out his features and she thought he could construe her sentence that she wasn't wanting to meet anyone period.

She shuffled closer and cupped the side of his cheek and he leaned into her touch, his eyes sliding shut. "Yes," she breathed. "Yes, I'd like to be your girlfriend."

His eyes snapped open and he looked at her with a hopeful expression. "Do you mean that?"

"Since when do I say anything I don't mean?" she said in a little laugh.

"May I kiss you now?"

"Yes," she breathed as he dipped his head lower and claimed her lips.

The kiss was gentle at first. His hands came up to cup her cheeks as he canted her hand to the side to get better access. His tongue swiped at her lip and she opened her mouth and brushed her tongue against his.

Her body ignited instantly. She felt a burning inferno take hold of her as his kiss consumed her leaving nothing in its wake except him.

They were both panting when he pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers. "Thank you," he said, his voice deep with emotion.

"Thank you, Mori-senpai."

He grinned down at her, "Takashi," he said. "You'll call me Takashi now. I am your boyfriend."

"Takashi," she whispered.

He pulled her back for another consuming kiss and her toes curled as he pulled her to him and held her tight. He peppered her face with small kisses and she giggled, joy filling her heart.

As they walked back to the dojo hand in hand, she wished her father was still alive to see her now. Maybe her parents were looking down at her and were happy for her. Her father always liked Mori-senpai… Takashi, and would push her to date him or Hunny-senpai. She was comforted in the feeling that she knew he would be happy with her choice, and so was she.